Anji Khad Bridge: Trial Run Successfully Completed on India’s First Cable-Stayed Rail Bridge in J&K
Indian Railways has successfully conducted a trial run on the Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, located in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. The bridge is a key component of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link (USBRL) project, which aims to enhance connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India. The trial run, completed with a tower wagon, marks a major milestone toward the project’s completion, with rail services to Kashmir expected to commence in January 2025.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared a video of the trial on social media platform X, calling the bridge an “engineering marvel.” The Railway Ministry stated, “The trial run of a tower wagon on India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, the Anji Khad Bridge, was successfully completed as part of the USBRL project,” adding that this achievement underscores the government’s commitment to improving connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir.
An Engineering Marvel
The Anji Khad Bridge stands as a testament to advanced engineering, with a single pylon towering 331 meters above the riverbed. Supported by 48 cables spanning lateral and central sections, the bridge is 473.25 meters long, featuring a 120-meter viaduct and a 94.25-meter central embankment. Construction of the bridge’s pylon began in 2017, and its foundation rises 191 meters.
The bridge is India’s second-highest railway bridge after the Chenab Rail Bridge, which stands 359 meters above the riverbed and is 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower.
USBRL Project Nearing Completion
The USBRL project is a flagship initiative by Indian Railways, aimed at boosting tourism, trade, and socio-economic development in Jammu and Kashmir. Of the total 272-kilometer railway stretch, 255 kilometers have been completed, with the remaining section between Katra and Reasi expected to be finished by December 2024.
Vande Bharat Express to Connect Kashmir
Minister of State for Railways, Ravneet Singh, announced that the Vande Bharat Express, connecting Kashmir to New Delhi, is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2025. This high-speed train will provide a significant boost to rail connectivity, making travel between the region and the rest of the country faster and more efficient.
The completion of the Anji Khad Bridge and the USBRL project will not only strengthen the nation’s infrastructure but also mark a historic achievement in bringing Jammu and Kashmir closer to the rest of India.
